Spacing table



w. A. LACKE swims TABLE Filed Sepi. 12. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 19, 1927.

April 19,1927.

w. A; LACKE SPACING TABLE Filed Sept. 12. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. A. LACKE snows TABLE April -19, 1927.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 12. 1923 raw Patented Apr. 19, 1927. v I

UNiiTEf STATES PATENT WILLIAM A. LA'CKE; OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

S'PAGING "TABLE.

Application filed September 12, 1323. Serial No. 662,186.

My invention relates to mechanism for Big. 3, is a longitudinal sectional view oi? m ti ll chi hol s in sheets or the air or other fluid cylinder controlling the 55 bars of metal where the holes are oi the spacing operation. i same or various sizes and where spacings are F k. is-a cross sectional view of the grip- 5 the same or of different dimensions. ping evice, taken on the line 13 -13 ()ne object; of my invention is to provide lei. 3. si. ple and accurate spacing means of any Fig. 5, is a cross. sectional View oi: the 60 d gengign li bl t i t bl in table supporting the plate being punched. 13119 t use which also affords a traclnvay updii which A. further Obj ct f my i ti i to the spacing device may run, taken on the space the position the holes more rapidly line 3 V, Fig. 1. than spacing is acc-on'iplished with the use Pg. 6, is a cross sectional View of the 65 f d i i t. use holding device taken on the line VIVI,

A. further object of my invention is to ig. 3.

15 m li h thi tt r w} th Fig. 7, illustrates the manner of operating dimensions may he, more accurately than the gags for the punch tools by electric soleheretoiiore. noic s. v 7

A further object of my inv t on is to Figis sectional e 0 the (l h d r provide a non-recoil sl'iock ahsor Jag cushion e punch E001, and

3 th d f h il k f th spacing Fig. .9 is a diagrammatic View of a detail mechani n, so that high speed be oh of my invention, showing the contact for tam-ed and the shock upon stopping at the p-pmgt spa 'g- 75 d ext each spacing; trok i 1}. t d, Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 rep- A {he-1' bj t. f y gnwenhon i m resents a punch press of any suitable char- 'inin .e. th strain 11430; fi t p mm actor, operated in the usual manner, the drivm other {913mg pgmng dzgviggg shaft the $211116, WlllCll 11133 he PTO- A f th r bject of my invention is to vided with a suitable clutch (not shown), so provide a full automatic spacing device that se ving t effe t up lCl ClOW mmcmcnt Of will select the length of space he veen holes. a h ad which carries, in the pr sent instance, the size of punch, and the position of the ape- O p n g 130013, indicated at O Emil punch, and one that may be readily set no It Will he understooch Of COD S ,tl1a a for operation. single tool may he employed. A bed plate A further object of invention is to carrying the usual dies cooperating with the .pFOVlde a full automatic spacing device that punching tools is disposed below the smile, 35 can he cheaply 1 ade and one which the and beyond the P 1 PR I P V ClQ a operator can readily observe action. series of roller tables, 2, 2, 2, for supporting My invention compr. cs mechanism tor the plate '3, to, be punched. Between these effecting the foregoing and other objects. all tables, I have mounted a suitable structure of wh l illy set 'Eorth in the folserving as a trackway for the mechanism i is more 1 -10 i ifi ti hereinafter descrihed and employed for Altho iave shown an automatic spacmoving the plate to eii'ect the positioning of dew v air or other fluid. and the same in the desinec spaced relation with 5 electric means for operating the it iv al respect to the, punching tool or tools. he understood that in some cases the spacing; Al represents a control board to support device may be electrica iy operated and the valvesland operating devices hereinafter des may be operated by air or other flu-id. scribed. 5 is an air cylinder which mav be In the accompanying drawings: s orted by Wheels 6, adapted to travel on Figure 1. shows my improved device apthe tracks 6 The valves mounted on the plied to a uunch press having two sizes of control board are indicated at 'Z and 8, and 9 pzuich tools, is a cam attached to the main driving shaft Fig. 2, shows diagraininaticallv the 0011- of the punch press so that each time the troi hoarth which is automaticallv operated punch head makes a complete movement, the

from the main shaft oi? the punch. cam turns over once so as to bring a notch 10 :l'oriued in the same, momentarily under the roller ll. carried by a lever arm 12, :lul- ("ruined at l 3. ll hcn the not; 11 ll) of the earn 9 permits the roller ll and lever arm 12 to take a downward movement, the latter effects operation of the valve T and S, as hereinafter described.

The valves 7 and 8 are provided with arms I?) and 17, connected together by rod 1'7 so that movement imparted to the latter will be transmitted to both arms, and such move ment may be effected through the link connection 14-, between the lever arm 12 and the arm 17.

The control board -lis provided with a solenoid 22, which holds a latch 23 out of engagement with an arm 16, also pivotally attached to the connecting rod 1?, so that when said coil is deenergized, said latch .23 will prevent the arm 16 and the arm 12 from operating. As the *alve arms and 17 are also connected to this rod 17, they also will be prevented from operating.

On the control board st are mounted switches 95 and 26. hen the switch 26 is open, the gags 32, (indicated in Fig. 7), are out, so that should a punch tool be operatcd. the tool post 31 will be free to rise in its holder 81 without punching a hole in the sheet When the switch is open, the coil 2 is deenergized and the latch 23 renders the valves 7 and 8 inoperative. The position of the gags 32, with respect to the punches and 30', is cont-rolled by solenoids 35 and 35.

The cylinder 5 is provided at each end with yoke members -12, carrying wheels 6, adapted to the rails 6, and this cylinder contains a piston 50, which may have suitable piston rings 01. Connected to the piston is a rod which is held to the right by the action of a spring st-l encircling the same, and the outer end of: this rod 45 is provided with a yoke 43, as shown in Fig. l, carrying two cylinders 60. in which are mounted clamping pistons til, which pistons are held away from a bar 67. which also carries the tracks 6. by the springs 62. The cylinders (30 may be supplied with air or other fluid pressure from the hose 20, from any suitable source. The yoke it?) carries a hook 5st adapted to engage a stop block 4:6, carried by the bar ($7.

The cylinder has exhaustports 52 located in the forward end oi the same or to the left, as illustrated in Fig. 3. of the drawings, wh ch ports are so located that when the cylinder is moved with respect to the piston and the latter is brought to the end of the 3ylinder, these ports are covered up and the only exhaust tor the air is through a pet cock 53, whose opening can be adjusted to provide the de ired cushion. The air cylinder also carries the jaw ll, with clamp screw 40 whereby the plate 3 may be secured thereto.

The stops to may be spaced as desired along the bar (5T. These stops regulate the length of each stroke of the air cylinder with respect to the piston no, the action being more fully described later.

The yoke 4:3 also carries contacts 55, 5(3 and 57, and these contacts are operated by blocks l7. l8 and l9, carried by the rail 67. In this particular case. there are two sets of contacts like 56 and :77, carried by the yoke l? for the purpose of operating the gag operating coils l5, and another set of contacts 5T", 58 and 59, carried by the yoke 43, is illustrated in Fig. 9 for the purpose of operating the solenoid 22, illustrated in Fig. That is to say, blocks 4-.7 and 48 control the operation of the gags, and block l9 controls the operation of the solenoid 22.

Carried by the hook 54:, is a set screw (33, which cu ges the lifting pin or rod 64, carried by the cylinder This set. screw may be adjusted that when the cylinder .7 is at the end of the stroke with respect to the piston 50, or to the ri ht the hook 554i is raised up to clear the stop 46.

In Fig. l have shown a cross section through one of the su 'iporting tables for the plate, illustrating a typical way in which such roller table can be arranged. the braclc el's 2 HHPpOl'tiUQ bearings for short shafts 2 upon which rollers 2 are mounted, so as to leave a space between the inner rollers for the passage of the clamping member ell. in engagement with the plate.

In Fig. 6. I have shown a cross sectional view on the line VI-VL Fig. 3, showing a pair ot' piston grippers Get, in engagement with the rail (3?. The object of this is to hold the work in place while being punched. and allow the grippers shown at 61, Fig. 1-; to more to a new position while preventing movement of the work in the meanwhile.

The operation of the respective punches 1-10 and 2-10, is under the control of suitable clccl'rir'rally actuated gags, and in Fig. 7 I have shown a detail oil'an electrical device For operating one of these gags, in which 30 is the punch tool, ill. the tool post. and 32 a slidable block or gag against which the tool post rests when the work is to he punched. The solenoid 35, contains a plunger 36. connected to the slidable block 532. by a rod 3?. 38 represents a spring pushes: this spring against which a plate 1W" also pushes against the pin 53? 'l'astened to the rod 37. Thus the normal position of the block 32 is out. as shown hy tho dotted line position. where it is held by the action of the spring 8 and the punch post is tree to more up and down without punching. The solenoid E35 held rigid with the punch head $23 by a bracket 35" and when such solenoid is energized. the plunger 36 causes the block 39. to act as a stop against the punch post, thus putting the tool in position for Sill llfi

punching .a hole. The solenoid 35 is energised i-vhcnever the contact 5?, Fig. 3, is closed by the action oi one of the stops 4?, and the solenoid 35" is operated whenever s a contact similar to 57 is operated by one of thestopssti, shown in Fig. l.

It will be noted that unless the cont-act 59 is closed, no hole can be punched as the gag will not go in. The contact must stop at the exact spot. This is a valuable feature as it prevents the hole being punched in the wrong location.

in Fig. 1 hate shown 111621118 wheneby the stop contact 57"c be arranged. This contact is set so that it will be operated by the stop iiluted at ll), in 4, and such contact is attached to the yoke 57" is a contact spring, normally engaged with the spiing 58, so as to make contact 1' at W hen the stop engages the portion of the spring 5 marked at 57, then the contact is opened and the coil 22, Fig. 2, is deenergized, thus stopping the action of the arm 12 and rendering the spacing device inoperative. '6 indicates the gripper bar or rail, and 6 1 the clamping pistons within the cylinders 63, which pistons are normally held out of contact with the bar 67 by the action 0-1 the spring '66. The cylinders 63 so get their air or other fluid pressure from the hose 21, which is controlled by the valve 8, illustrated in Fig. *2.

Having described in detail my improved mechanism, 1 will now describe the action or the entire device.

Assume that it is desired to punch a row of holes in the plate 3 and that there are holes of two different izes in the row. The punch tool 30 is employed for one size hole, and the punch tool tor the other. The operator then sets the stops L6 along the bar 6? so that each stop is in the desired position for the proper space or distance between the holes; the first stop being for the first hole, the second stop for the second hole, and so on. These stops can be set by a rule, template or the like, and it will be noted that a missetting of one stop does not nec arily mean that all the spaces followlug would be wrong, that is to say, by this method of spacing a mistake is not neces-v sarily carried on through the sequence of holes.

jitter the operator has the spacing stops he must then determine which size hole he wishes to punch at each space and then t a punch selector block to effect engagee ent with the contacts 57 at each space. in this case, either a block t? or is would be set to close the contacts 57. Then the operator would determine at which point he wanted the machine to stop and lo would then set a block t9 so that spring contact 5?, 9, would engage the same, thus opening the curlentthru the solenoid coil 22, and stopping the spacing operation. It is also evidentthat he could stop the spacing and the punching by disengaging the clutch connecting the driving mechanism with the punching head carrying the tools 30 and 30.

it will here be noted that whenever the punch is stopped by disengaging the clutch, the work is in position for punching the next hole. In other words, the operator can feel his way along on the first piece by operating the clutch on the punch and each time the punch stops,.the work will be spaced so that he can check just before punching, and if the stops me not properly set he can then correct his error without first punching the hole in the wrong place.

After the. operator has set the stops as stated above, he then places the plate 3 in the jaw 4L1 and clamps it thereto by the screw std. This secures :the plate to the cylinder so that movement of the latter while thus engaged will eitect movement of the plate. As indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the plate is too far to the left, so that the first movement the plate will be for the purap. ;e of placingit in proper position for the tirst hole- This wi -l be done automatically as lrereinailter brought out.

After the machine is set up as noted above,

the operator throws in the clutch on the punch operating shaft, (clutch not shown) which causes the punch head 33 to move up and down and with it the tools 30 and 30. He then throws in the switches 25 and Throwing in switch 26 causes the coil 22 t. be energized through the following circuit: positive, 26, coil 22, line -25 to 25* Fig. 9, contacts 58, 5:9, 57, line 29, 29 to negative. This energizes the coil 22, which causes the latch 23 to take the dotted position and allow the arm 16 to move down when the roller 11 is opposite the recess 10, in the cam 9. Link 17 connects the valve ope-rating arms 15 and 18 so that valves 7 and 8 are moved as indicated by the dotted lines upon each revolution of the cam 9. The valve 8 as shown in full in exhaust posi tion, so that the pistons 6 L, shown in Fig. 6 are out of engagement. with the rail 67, and with the valve 7 as shown in the full. lines, air or other motive iluid being admitted to the cylinder 5 and the clamping cylinders 60, via the pipes 19 and 20, respectively. Motive fluid admitted to the cylinders 60 causes the pistons 61 to grip the rail :6? and hold the yoke 43 rigid, and as air or other motive fluid is also being admitted to the cylinder 5, this cylinder will be drawn onto the piston 50 until the piston rests against the cylinder head '50, where it will stop. The motion of the cylinder over the piston Will be rapid until the exhaust holes 52 in the cylinder 5 are covered by the piston, when the balance of the stroke will be completed and compress the air against the head fit), thus gently retarding or checking the nuivement of the c \;linder. The amount of cushion can be regulated by adjusting the opening in the pet coc 53.

It will here be noted that the yoke l3 has to withstand a pull and then a push The action of the spring llis overcome by this movement of the cylinder, and the plate 3 is also moved a. distance equal to the amount the piston rod was allowed to travel to the right out of the cylinder under the action of the spring the previous part of the cycle. Then as the cam 9 turns to allow love arm l2 to place the valves T and E5 in the position they will assume when the arms 16 and .17 are in the dotted line position. their action is reversed. The air is exhausted from the cylinder 5 and cylinders 60 so that the gripping pistons 61 are released and the piston then travels to the right by the action of the spring ll, until the hook 5-iengagcs the stop 46.

The cylinders (33 are now getting air thru the valve 8 via pipe :21, putting the clamping pistons (ll into action so that the work is rigidly held while being punched and while the spacing mechanism is selecting a new space. Should there be no stop for the hook 54c to engage, the piston 50 will travel the complete length of the cylinder or until it strikes the head 52 Then when the air or other pressure is again directed to the cylinders 5 and ($0, the work will again more a space equal to the distance the spring n pushed the piston 50, away from head 50.

hen the piston 50 is against the head 50. the rod (i-l engages the set screw (53 and causes the hook 53 i to hit over the stop in, so that each time the air is turned oit' the cylinder 5, the spring as returns the piston to a new stopping position, or the end of the cyli nder.

Attached to the yoke 43 and traveling with it are two contacts 57 which operate the punch gag coils 35 and 3-3, whenever a stop 4:"? or i8. is set at certain spaces. The circuit is established as follows: positive, switch 25, wire 26, coil 35, wire 27, contacts as, 57 and 56, wire 29, back to negative. That is, whenever a stop e18 or is set to close the contact 57 a. hole is punched in the plate, but it no contact is set the device will space but not punch. Should it be desired to test the spacing without punching the holes, the switch 25 can he left out.

Also carried by the yoke 43 is a stop con tact 59, Fig. 9. l i henever this contact open, the solenoid 22 allows the latch J3 to stop the action of the valves. This coil is actuated thru the following circuit: positive 26, wire 25, contacts 58, 59, 57", wire 29, 29. back to negative. By placing a stop ll) at any desired point on the rail 87. the contact 59 is opened; thus stopping the spacing.

Should it he desircd, the switch 26 can he opened by hand and the spacing stopped. There is also provided a push button 22 which can close the circuit it the contact is open.

TV hen it is desired to return the jaw 41 to engage av ifresh plate, the 3- my air valve 20" in pipe 20 supplying pressure to the gripper cylinders 60 is turned oil so that the gripping pistons 61 are released. This leaves the device tree to move in either direction by hand. \Vhen the cylinder is moving with respect to the piston 50, and the head 50* approaches the same, the air or other motive fluid is readily exhausted thru the ports 52-, but when the piston 50 covers these holes, the only remaining outlet for the air is the pet cock 53, which is set to regulate such outlet and form a nonrecoil cushion for the shock incident to the stopping oi? the cylinder. The connections to the cylinder 5 and the cylinders 60 and (3?), are by a suitable flexible hose. The wiring to the contacts carried by the yoke l? is also flexible. That is to say, the hose and wiring are carried along with the cylinder 5, and in practice would come up between the rollers 2" of the table 2.

It will be understood, of course, that in some cases it may he desired to move the rail (57 instead of the cylinder 5. In such instances, the screw clamp ll could be at-- tached to said rail 67, and this rail arranged to move instead o if the clyinder 5.

It claim:

1. In con'ihination with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, a pisston therein. means for eil'ecting ll'lOVQlIlGllli of the piston and cylinder relatively to each ther and in the same direction, and plate gripping means carried by one of said movable men'ibcrs.

in combination with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, means for ellecting movement o l the piston and cylinder relatively to each other and in the same direction, plate gripping means carried by one of said movable members whereby movement of the same will ellcct the desired spacing of the article to be punched, and means for cushioning such movement at the end of the stroke.

2-}. ln combimition with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, at piston within said cylinder, tlnid pressure means tor moving one of said elements with respect to the other, means for etlecting independent movement of the other member and in the same direction, and cushioning means tor the end of each stroke.

l-. In combination with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, a pisston within said cylinder. fluid pressure means for moving one of said elements with ill) respect to the other, and a spring for efiecting independent movement of the other element.

5. In combination with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, both cylinde and piston being movable and in the same direction, fluid pressure means for moving one of elements with respect to the other, cushioning means for the end of the strokes, and means for holding either the cyl nder or the piston during. each of said strokes.

(3. In combination, a punch pres a plate gripping member, a cylinder to w rich said plate gripping member is attached, a piston relatively fixed with respect to said cylinder, both cylinder and piston being movable, means for moving each of said members with respect to the other and in the same direction, and means for cushioning such movement at the end of each stroke;

7. In combination, a punch press, a plate gripping member, a cylinder to which said plate gripping member is attached, a piston relatively tired with respect to said cylinder, said cylinder and piston being movable al ternal ely in the same direction, fluid pressure means for moving one of said members with respect to the other, aspring for effecting movement of the other member with respect to the first-mentioned member, and means providing an air cushion at the end of the stroke.

8-. in combination with a punch press, ing mechanism comprising a rail mounted with respect to said press in the line of the spacing, a carriage movable with respect to said rail, sets or clamping elements operatively connected to said carriage for alternate engagement with the rail, a cylinder mounted on said carriage, a piston operatively mounted with respectto d cylinder, means for moving the piston and cylinder relatively to each other of said sets of clamping elementsbeing on ot' action when such movement occurs, means automatically stopping such movement, and means for cushioning the stroke.

9. In combination with a punch press, a l in al ument therewith, spacing mechuni m. opcratively connected to an article to be punched comprising a carriage movable on said rail, two sets of clamping elements operatively connected to said carriage for ill-termite engagement with the rail, a cylindermonnted on said carriage, a piston operatively mounted with respect to said cylinder, means for moving the cylinder and piston relatively to each other comprising a source of fluid pressure for effecting movement of one of said elements in one direc tion and a spring for effecting movementof the other element in the same direction; one of said sets of clamping elements bei out e action when each ofsuch movements occurs, automatically operating means tor stoo-ping such movements, and means for cushioning the movements at the ends of the strokes.v

10. in combination, a punch press, a rail in alignment with the punching operation, stops mounted on said rail, a plate gripping member, a cylinder carrying the same, a carriage for the cylinder, a piston in operative relation to the cylinder and held against movement while the cylinder is moving, means for holding the cylinder against lon gitudinal movement at the end of each stroke, means for moving the piston while the cylinder is held, and means cooperating with said stops for arresting the movement of the piston and holding the same in such arrested position. i

11. In combination, a punch press, spacmechanism including a rail, a carriage movable on said rail and including a piston and a cylinder both of which are movable witi respect to each other, stops for limiting the movement of said members, and gripping means for alternate engagement with the rail whereby the cylinder may be moved while the piston is at rest and the piston may be moved while the cylinder is at rest.

12. In combination, a punch press, spacin mechanism including a rail mounted in line of thepunching operation, a piston an,r a cylinder both of which are movable w l (y D the l respect to each other and to the rail. stops for limiting the movement of the cylinder and piston, fluid pressure means for el ing movement of the cylinder, a spring tor effecting movement of the piston, gripping means for alternate engagement with the rail whereby the cylinder may be moved while the piston is at rest and the piston movedwhile the cylinder is at rest, 1 l in. stroke effected by the fluidpressure means.

13, in (:OlilljlllillllOll, a punch press, a railn ed in the line of the punching operg mechanism comprising. an obg member, a movable cylinder I 1 same, a piston operatively cured: with respect to said cylinder, me holding the cvlinder while the pi moves, means for holding the piston y i e the cylinder moves, fluid pressure means tor effecting movementof the cylinder, a spring for etiecti movement of the piston, and a latch for holding the piston after it has reached the limit of its movement,

, iii. In combination, a punch press, a rail mounted in the line of the punching operation, spacing mechanism comprising an object gripping member, a movable cylinder carrying the same, a piston operatively mounted with respect to said cylinder, means for holding the piston while the cylind r moves comprising fluid operated clamp,

ms for cushioning the end of the pistons, means for holding the cylinder while the piston moves comprising fluid operated clamping pistons, independent fluid pressure means tor el'l'ect-inp' movement of the cylinder, and a spring l or el'l'eeting movement of the piston.

1a. in combination with a punch press, a spar-hug device having means 'lor spacing more than one variation of spaces, a cooperatinc' cylinder and piston lor eliccting such spacing with cushioning means at the end of eaclrstrokc, and clamping devices for said cylinder and piston alternately operable between stroke in. in combination with a punch press, a spacing" device having means for spacing more than one variatioi'i ol spaces including a cooperating cylinder and piston for etl'epb inn such spacing. 'l'luid pressure means tier 01 Min the cylinder. a springfor operation the piston, and clamping devices for said cylinder and piston alternately operable between strol-ces.

.17. A spacingdevice for punch presses and the like having a work movingcylinder, a piston cooperating therewith, a movable hook operativcly connected to said piston, stops in the path of travel ol said hook, and means For moving the hook a *ay :lrom said stops at certain periods. 2

18. fr spacing device TlOl. punch presses, comprising! a ail. a carriage movable on said rail' said carriage includin a cylinder and :1 pi on operatively mounted with respect to said cylinder and both movable with respect to the rail, means tor inoving the cvhndcr while the piston 1s atrest, means tor moving the piston. while the cylinder 1s at rest. and means lor automatically determining the length of said. strokes.

in. A spacing device for punch presses, comprising a rail. a carriage movable on said rail: said carriage including a. cylnnler and a piston operatively mounted with respect to said cvlinder and both movable with respccl lo the rail, means l'or movinp the tf \*ll ll' iler while the piston at reshaneans tor moving the piston while the cyllmler is at; rest. clamping devices for said cylinder and piston alternately operable between SllOl US to lock the same to the ail. and means lor automatically determining the length of such strokes.

:20. it spacing device for punch presses and the like. comprising: an article gripping member, a cylinder connected to the same and movable with respect to arelatively .lixed piston, means for cti'ectinp; alternate movements of the cylinder and piston in the same direction, and non-recoil cushioning means operable at the ends oi. such movements.

21. A spacing device l or punch presses and the like. comprising an article gripping member, a cylinder connected to the same and movable with respect to a relatively fixed piston, means for effecting relative movement between said cylinder and piston comprising fluid pressure means for moving' the cylinder with respect to the piston while the latter occupies a relatively fixed position and a spring for moving the piston while the cylinder occupies a relatively fixed position, and means for cushioning, the end of the cylinder stroke.

22. A spacingdevice for punch presses and the like, comprising an article gripping member, a cylinder conmicl'ed to the same, a relatively fixed piston disposed within said cylinder, means for ell'cct-ing relative movement bet ween said cylinder and piston, means for automatically limiting such movement, and means for cushioning the end of such movement.

23. In a spacing device for punching machines, means including two members movable in the same direction for automatically effecting more than one variation of stroke, and a non-recoil air cushion for the members of the spacing mechanism brought into action at the end of each stroke.

24-. In a spacing device for punching machines, means including two members movable in the same direction for automatically eli'ecting strokes oi more than one variation, and non-recoil shock-absorbing means brought into action at the end o'l each stroke.

I11 a spacing, device for punch presses, a cylinder, a piston operatively mounted with respect to said cylinder, a series of stops, means for eliecting movement of said cylinder and piston relatively to each other, and means carried by one of said members for cooperative engagement with said stops.

26. In a spacing device for punch presses, a punching element, a spacing device movable with respect to the punch press for the purpose of bringing the work into position with respect; to the punching element, a punch gag cooperating with said punching element, means for automatically stopping;- the spacing device, and electrically operated means tor cont-rolling the punch gag in coordination with the spacing movements.

27. In a spacing device for punch presses. a spacing device movable with respect to the punch press for the purpose of bringing the work into position with respect to a punching element, means for auton'latically stopping the spacing device, means for locking the spacing; device against movement while the punching operation is el'l'ected, and means for controlling the punch gags in coordination with the spacing movements.

2%. In combination with a punch press. a spacing; device inchuling two members movable in the same direction and arranged to travel with respect to the punch press Inn Ill]

and bring the Work into. punching position during such travel, means for moving the 'iembers of such spacing device, means for stopping the sameat predetermined intervals, and means for cushioning siich movements with a non-recoil device.

29-. In combination with a punch press, a spacing device arranged to travel away from the punch press and bring the work into punching position during such travel means for moving said spacing device, means for automatically stopping the same at predetermined intervals, and means for locking the spacing device against movement during the punching operation.

30. In combination with a punch press, a spacing device iniixed engagement with the work and moving the latter into position with respect to the punches, a cyiinder and a piston arranged for movement with respect to each other and tothe punch press for the purpose of advancing the work with respect to said press, means forhalting the spacing device at predetermined intervals, and meansfor locking the same against movement during the punching operation.

31. The combination, in spacing mechanism for punch presses, of a rail, stops on said rail, a rod for moving the work with respect to said rail, a latch operatively connected to said rod and adapted to-engage the stops on the rail; such engagement taking place when the rodismaking a return stroke, and means for lifting the latch over the stops at the ends of each work stroke.

32. In combination, a: punch press, arail mounted in the line of the punching operation, spacing stops carried by said rail, spacing mechanism comprising'a; cylinder and apiston longitudinally movable with respect to said: rail, rail gripping devices carried by the cylinder and piston: and alternately operable, and a latch operativcly connected to the piston said lat-ch cooperating with the stops carried by. the rail whereby movement between the rail and spacingmechanism is obtained.

33. In combination, with a punch pressa spacing device comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, means for effecting movement of the piston and cylinder alternately and in the same direction, and plate gripping means carried by one of said movable members.

In combination with a punch press, a spacing device comprising a cylinder, apiston therein, means for eii'ecting independent movement or the piston and cylinderrelatively to each other whereby movement of the same will effect more than one variation of spacing of the article to be punched, and plate. gripping means carried by one of said movable members.

35. In combination with a punch press, a spacing device for effecting more than one variation spacing, compi d'cir, a p on within said cylinder, uid pres sure moms for moving one of said members with respect to the other, means for eiiecting movement oi the other member, means for the end or each 36. A spacing de ice, con'ip'rising a work mg work moving moving member l stroke and return Sci he, a latch carried by said member. spacing rail, resilientmeans for moving the member on the return stroke, stops on said rail to engage the latch on the return stroke, and means for disengaging the latch from the stops at certain intervals.

37. A spacing device, comprising a work moving member having a work moving stroke and aspacing stroke, means for effect ing such movements, a latch carried by said member, a spacing rail, stops on said rail to engage the latch on the spacing stroke, means for disengaging the is h from the stops at certain intervals, means for locking the work movin member to the spacing rail during the work stroke.

383 In plate feeding means for punch presses, a spacin rail, stops on the rail, :1 releasable gripping device to grip the rail during the work moving stroke, a latch movable with the gripping device and engaging the stops on the spacing stroke, means to withdraw the latch from the path 01 the stops at certain intervals, ano power means for moving the gripping device when the latch is released so as to feedthe plate to the punch.

39. A spacing device comprising a work moving member, a spacing rail, stops on the rail, a latch to engage said stops, and a locking device to lock the rail and work moving means together during the work moving stroke.

40. In combination *ith' aspacing rail, stops on said rail, and a spacing device having rail gripping means operative during the work moving stroke, ofa latch that travcls with the gripping device and engages stops on the spacing rail. 4

il. A spacing device, comprising a rail, spacing stops on said rail, a gripping device movable with respect to said rail, a latch carried by said gripping device which engages stops along its path of travel on said rail, means for moving the latch out of the path of the stops at certain intervals. power means for driving the gripping devi e during the working stroke, and resilient means for driving the gripping device during the space selecting stroke.

In plate feeding means for punch presses, a spacing device comprising a spacing rail, a gripper to engage the rail, means tor actuating the gripper to move the Work to the punch, means for releasing said gripper at the end of the-working stroke, stops llii on the spacing rail, a latch ope 'atively con necied to the gri 'iper to engage the stops on the spacing stroke, means to release said latch at certain intervals, and means for driving the latch a. distance equal to the next desired work stroke.

.113. in spacing device, a spacing ail, stops on said rail. :1. gripper, means tor successively ad *ancing said gripper in steps in relation to said spacing .Hll, and a latch operativel connected to said gripper and arranged to engage stops in its path ol travel so that the spacing stroke oi the gripper is sit to equal the next working stroke.

ll. in combination with a punch press, a spacing! device having means for spacing more than one variation t spaces, a cooperating cylinder and piston ilor elt'ecting such spacing; with non-recoil cushioningmeans at the end oi acl1 stroke, and clamping devices 'lor said cylinder and piston alternatclv operable between strokes.

A5. A spacing device comprising a work moving member, a spacing rail. stops on the rail, a latch *arried by the work-moving member to engage the stops, a locking device to lock the ail and work-moving mein la r together during the work-moving stroke, means tor automatically disengaging the rail and workanoving member during the space-selecting stroke. resilient means for cilia-ting the space-selecting stroke by forcing the latch against the stops, means for moving the latch from the path ot the stops at certain intervals, and means for locking the work against movement during the space-selecting stroke.

46. A spacing device comprising a workmoving member, a spacing, rail, stops on the rail, a. latch arried by the work-movi11g member to engage the stops. a locking device to lock the rail and work-moving: member together duringthe work-moving stroke. means for automai irally disengaging the rail and work-moving member during the spacesch-Ming stroke, resilient means [or cilia-ting the space-selecting stroke by iorciur; the latch against the stops, means for moving the latch from the path ol the stops at ccr tain intervals, and means for locking the work against movement during the spareselecting stroke. in combination with a punch press having gagged tools, and con trolling; means for the gaps arranged in line with the stops on the spacing rail.

H. A spacing device having a work-moving stroke and a space-selecting stroke, com prising a work-moving; member, a spacing rail, stops on the rail, a latch to engage the stops and normally in line with the same, a locking device to lock the work-moving membeand rail together during the workmoving stroke, means for unlockingsaid rail and work-moving member during, the spacegripper until stopped by the.

selecting strokeresilient means for Forcing the latch and stops together at the end o l the space-selecting stroke, and means for throv ing the stops and latch out Of line with each other at the end of the work-moving stroke.

to. It spacing device ha ving a work-moving i-troke and a spacia-ielecting stroke, com prising; a. work-moving member, a spacing ail, stops on the rail, a latch to engage the stops and normally in line with the same, a locking device to lock the work-moving membe' and rail together during the workmoving stroke, means for unlocking said rail and work-moving member during the spacc-sclecti11;: stroke, resilient means l'or forcing the latch and stops together at the end ol the space selecting; stroke, means :l'or throwing; the stops and, latch out of line with each other at: the end of the spin-e-selecti1a; stroke, means for throwing the stops and latch out of line with each other at the end (it the work-moving stroke, and non-rectal shock-ahsorbing means elljective at the end of the raid work-mmiire,- stroke.

49. A spacing device comprising a spacing rail, work-moving means, a. latch carried lrv said work-moving means co-acting with stops spaced on said spacing rail, means for locking the spacing rail. and work-moving means together during the period of the work-moving stroke and until the work has come to res, means for locking the work during the period of punching and during the period of the spacint, stroke, and means for throwing the latch out of the path oi the stops at the beginning oi? the spacing stroke and replacing itin the path of travel betore the finish of the spacing stroke.

50. A punch press having gagged tools, movable gags cooperating therewith, step-bystep spacing means including a spacing rail to." automatically il'eeding work through the press, automatic power means for operating the gags, and control stations spaced a]onn the path of t avel ol? the s 'iacing means to control the gags, said spacing means engg. ,1? inn; the srmcinp; rail during the work moving stroke.

5]. A. punch press having gaegcil tools,

movable gags cotmerating therewith, step-bystep spacing,- means inclinlinp; a sparing, rail, and stops on said s acin a' rail tor :leeding work through the press, automatic power means for operating the gags, and control stations arranged to co-act with the spacing means and arranged parallel with the stops on said rail; said spacing mains eina'agrinc' the spacing rail during the work feeding stroke.

A. panch press having automatically operated gagged tools, movable cooper ating therewith, and automatically operated spacing means including. a acinn' rail. :1 row of stops on said spacing rail, and another row oi control stations for controlling lLn the gags spaced parallel with the said bar and spaced according to the stops and so that the gag is operated after the spacing means has made the correct space; said spacing means and said rail being engaged during the work moving stroke.

53. A punch press having automatically operated gagged tools, movable gags cooperating therewith, and automatically operated spacing means including a spacing rail, a

row of stops on said spacing rail, and another row of control stations for controlling the gags spaced parallel with the said bar and spaced according to the stops, said spacing means having a space selecting stroke and a work moving stroke.

In Witness whereof I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM A. LAOKE. 

